FOX28: 200 Club of the Coastal Empire helping families during tough times
- April 24, 2023
CHATHAM COUNTY, GA (WTGS) — The 200 Club of the Coastal Empire not only gives comfort to families who lost a loved one in the Line-of-Duty but also supports the families financially for many years after.
Putting on the uniform both firefighters and law enforcement have the public duty to protect and serve. The executive director of the 200 Club of the Coastal Empire says that demand takes a toll on the families involved.
“When there is a tragedy, they know they can call us. I typically get a phone call within hours of a loss, and we begin the process by ensuring that the family does not have any funeral-related expenses,” said Mark Dana, 200 Club of the Coastal Empire President/CEO.
The 200 Club, (a 501 (c)(3) organization) has given over $3.8 million to families of fallen first responders with education being the driving force.
“I think the most important thing we do for the family is we provide a 100% fully paid college education. Room and board, tuition, books and everything associated with going to college. I’m proud to say we have seven family members in college right now,” said Dana.
Dana says the organization is needed in the area because these situations are happening more often.
He added that the organization stays in consistent contact with families who lost their loved ones in the line of duty.
“It’s critically important, moving forward especially because we have an environment in this country where we are losing more and more lives, particularly to gunfire, which was not always the case. We know that it’s not a matter of if, but when we have the next tragedy. In Savannah, we had two line-of-duty deaths within a year of each other. So, we need to be prepared in that area,” said Dana.
The organization will host its one-mile “Run for Heroes” event for families to participate in a memory walk to remember their fallen heroes.
The event will be held on May 6th at West Chatham Middle School.
View on Fox 28 Savannah : Article Here
